Mt. SAC students take top prizes in state competition

A group of 16 Mt. San Antonio College students earned top awards during the recent Health Occupation Students of America state competition in Sacramento, the college announced.

Eight of the students earned gold medals and another eight earned silver medals at the Health Occupation Students of America state leadership conference that took place from March 20 through March 24 and which drew more than 2,200 competitors, according to statement from the college.

The Health Occupation Students of America, also referred to as HOSA, is the national organization for secondary and post-secondary health career students, the statement said. The organization, established by the U.S. Department of Education, provides career and leadership development to students across the country.

Gold medals were awarded to Michelle Alejandrez, of Pomona, Darlene Cabrera of Rowland Heights, Deborah Delgado of Upland and Bryan Everage of Pomona. All four won medals in the creative problem solving competition.

Arnold Brown of Ontario, Gabriela Franco of Hesperia, Cecily French of Pomona and Irma Macias of Azusa earned gold medals in the biomedical debate competition.

Silver medals in the creative problem solving category were awarded to Perla Borrayo of Ontario, Jeremy Kurkowski of Chino Hills, Blanca Tovar-Garcia of Pomona and Laura Wroth of Chino.

Han Duong of West Covina, Stephanie Gonzalez of La Puente, Amanda Repato of Corona and Tenique Silcott of Fontana won silver medals in biomedical debate.

The 16 students will travel to Nashville, Tenn. to represent Mt. SAC at the national HOSA competition in late June, the statement said.